Our Ability Jobs

Working Title: Public Engagement Specialist

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

Agency: Mn Management & Budget

• Job ID : 80740

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes - This position will have the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule, splitting time between telecommuting and working in the office.

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/05/2024

• Closing Date : 10/25/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Mn Management & Budget / Mn Mgmt & Budget - MAPE

• Division/Unit : Planning Division

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $36.71 - $54.60 / hourly; $76,650 - $114,004 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Public Engagement Specialist, as part of a new team focused on coordinating long-range planning across state government, will lead proactive public engagement and outreach on statewide long-range strategic planning efforts on high-priority issues impacting the future of Minnesota, in order to ensure these efforts are informed by and responsive to the needs, perspectives, and voices of Minnesota’s diverse communities and the public. Issue areas could include but are not limited to climate resiliency, rural economic development, economic mobility, workforce development, housing, and artificial intelligence.

The Public Engagement Specialist, reporting up to the Director of Planning, is responsible for developing and directing the strategy for public and community engagement throughout multiple phases of the long-range planning team’s work (including issue selection, plan development, plan communication, and feedback on plans) as well as coordinating and carrying out public engagement. Responsibilities include:

• Develop and direct a sound, ethical, inclusive, and effective public engagement strategy and practice for the long-range planning team, including consulting on each long-range planning project to develop a public engagement practice for that initiative (designing engagement plans, objectives, target audiences, engagement methodology, timelines, and key activities) as well as developing and maintaining a working library of public engagement tools and promising practices for the team to draw on.

• Establish partnerships with other state agencies, jurisdictions or community-based organizations that are using effective public engagement related to long-range plans. Partnerships could include sharing data or coordinating events.

• Oversee public engagement efforts including but not limited to listening sessions, workshops, meetings, interviews, focus groups, and informational sessions. Conduct or support public engagement that is sound, ethical, inclusive, effective, and aligned with best practices that emphasize respect, empathy, and inclusivity (including but not limited to trauma-informed practices, accessible practices, and resident-centered practices).

• Center resident voice in the long-range planning team’s public engagement strategy, with a particular focus on elevating the perspectives of historically excluded and marginalized communities in Minnesota. This could include working with the communications team to create a people-centered communications strategy and using creative techniques to share plans with Minnesotans.

• Build and oversee relationships with research entities, such as academic centers and community-based organizations, that conduct research with key communities. Manage engagement activities with contractors while leading the team’s understanding on best practices related to community-based participatory research and empowering historically excluded groups via research and consultation.

• Support the development of agency-level policy and strategy related to public engagement. Train staff and other individuals involved with long-range planning or others in the agency on effective, ethical, and inclusive public engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional level experience.

• A Bachelor’s degree in political science, public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field may substitute for one year of experience.

Work experience must include:

• Demonstrated experience in the areas of public engagement, community outreach, or related fields.

• Demonstrated project and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to organize and execute work based on project goals, prioritize amidst competing interests, and effectively engage a variety of stakeholders to advance the work.

• Experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional work (e.g., leading projects that advance equity and center residents most impacted by policy decisions).

• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills. Experience communicating with diverse groups of stakeholders and communities in a way that is clear, inclusive, and professional.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity, including proactively anticipating barriers and adapting to overcome challenges, innovating, and designing with a user-focused mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

This position requires a high level of knowledge and skills related to public and community engagement. Topics are varied but preferred qualifications include:

• Advanced degree or certificate in public policy, public administration, urban planning, public relations, communications, journalism, law, or a related field.

• Lived experience relevant for the work of long-range planning on key policy issues to improve the lives of Minnesotans. For example, personal, family, or community experiences related to key policy issues (such as climate resiliency, rural economic development, economic mobility, workforce development, housing, and racial or social justice).

• Demonstrated leadership competencies, including:

• Leading Self: Leading with integrity, discovering and pursuing growth opportunities, strategic thinking and emotional intelligence.

• Leading Others: Building trusting relationships, coaching employees, fostering motivation, and influencing others.

• Leading the Organization: Setting a vision, problem solving and goal setting methodologies.

• Leading Outside the Organization: Working collaboratively and respectively with partners and centering residents’ experiences in communications.

Application process : In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position.

Additional Requirements

Minnesota Management and Budget will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.